Lamb, who works full-time with underserved youth in the New York City area, was furious and utterly disgusted. She was so shocked, in fact, that she decided to protest against the new reality show.

According it’s the press release, the show promises to highlight the life of rapper Shawty Lo, his 11 kids and their 10 mothers, and to chronicle what happens when “the man of the house has to split his affection multiple ways while trying to create order.”

Lamb says she was tired of seeing the Black family portrayed negatively on reality TV, and felt was the show was a blatant use of child-exploitation to market TV programming, so she immediately took action to speak out against it.

Details below…

Lamb repeatedly wrote and called the Oxygen network seeking answers, and when she felt they had none, she subsequently launched a national petition asking others to join her in insisting that the president of Oxygen Media NOT air the show.

As word about her petition spread, and to date she has over 13,400 (and counting) signatures. News outlets picked up the story of the backlash and the trailer was removed from the web.

Essence Magazine even interviewed Lamb to find out just how far she plans to go to make change.

ESSENCE.COM: Were you surprised that your petition made national news? LAMB: A little. I thought it was just going to be a few of my friends and I who were upset about it and that’s it. Now, I’m getting emails from people all around the world saying to me, “It’s about time someone said something!”

ESSENCE.COM: What do you hope will come from the success of the petition?LAMB: If this show goes on the air, you’re going to have to come and get me from in front of the Oxygen studio. I invited everyone to come be out there on the lawn with me. This is not just a Black issue. White people are sick of it too. I got an email from a 68-year-old White woman saying, “ I am sick and tired of Black stereotypes.”

ESSENCE.COM: What would you say to the women who are watching reality shows that portray Black women in a negative light?LAMB: We have to start to draw a line in the sand. We have to decide who we really are, and while we’re deciding that, can we at least understand that our first duty is to protect and nurture our children? We don’t lobby. We’ll call a talk show, but we won’t go after advertisers. This has to stop.

While Lamb has been quite vocal about her disdain for the show, Jason Klarman, president of Oxygen Media, declined to speak publicly about the show on Monday through a spokeswoman, Julie Rothman.

According to NewsOne, Rothman said the footage that was briefly circulated was part of a “pitch reel” hacked from the website of the production company. Such clips are used to try and get television networks to BUY programs.

She said there has been no talent deals – meaning they’re not even sure Shawty Lo will be featured in the program. The program is “still very much in early development,” she said.

In a statement issued late last week, Rothman said the show “is not meant to be a stereotypical representation of everyday life for any one demographic or cross section of society.

It is a look at one unique family and their complicated, intertwined life. Oxygen Media’s diverse team of creative executives will continue developing the show with this point of view.”

The news release announcing “All My Babies’ Mamas” described it as a one-time special at one point and a series at another. Rothman said it was a mistake to call it a series.

Networks, however, frequently air specials and turn them into series if they do well in the ratings.

85 Comments

Who cares, it’s like that one guy in the projects that has so many young girls fooled about who he really loves, it call project twins, and tri’s all born around the same time, or month. Again who cares.

TO…Terrell is an emotional wreck with baby momma problems .Heck,most of these rappers,ball players have wives and outside children.I think this is a icultural problem that we in the black community must deal with privately.Why do we give these people fuel to set us on fire with emotionally damaging movies and extra stupid reality shows.I find it sick thatShawty has a girlfriend the same age as his other daughters and sons.Lord,I am about to be ashamed of my people;this is sickening and disturbing on so many levels.baby mommas, why can’t you all walk away from stupidity.Sigh….sad man!

Oxygen is obviously back peddling after the negative attention the show has received. It’s time we, as African Americans, speak up about the images being portrayed as representative of our culture. Let’s not forget music as well, because most of what’s out now is garbage too.

I 100% agree, just look at the idiots that wrote above you. They have no standards, and no clear understanding of what damage this show can do. The name alone says that this show is not here to promote any positive images for our youth and our culture. It’s sad that the most negative images in our society gets the most attention. I bet the ones that think this show is fine to air are the main ones not far from being surrounded or included in this garbage.

I get where she’s going but if you want to boycott a network or show that’s negatively portraying the black family dynamics she should start with the big wigs like the Maury and Bill Cunningham show, cause I swear if I hear another story line about a downlow brother that’s denying the paternity of his kids I’m going to boycott my eyes for watching that crap. Let shitshort low and his short bus full of baby mama’s collect their pennies while you do that.

I love laughing at the participants of Maury. “I’m a thooooouuuusand percent sure he’s my baby fada” Maury reads “In the case of Tyquan Jr., Tyquan you are not the father”. Then the girl runs throws herself all over backstage while Tyquan is either saying “I told you” or dancing for the crowd. I go to the circus to be entertained by clowns and I tune into certain shows to be entertained by ratchet people of all races.

The saddest part is that it be their 5th appearance testing a different guy and got the nerve to act shocked. I give em by the third time to act as if they got their own dressing room on the Maury Show.

I didn’t know Maury still comes on, I haven’t seen his show in years because it was the same old shit——-trying to see if this person was the father or not, is it a man or woman, lol. Maury is a shitshow at its finest right along with Jerry Springer.

I slipped up and watched it the other day, I didn’t know it was still on the air, either. If one brood says" This baby look just like him!Look at his eyes!", and proceeds to run to the screen to point to some random man, I will HOLLA.

Maury is a little different because if the people didn’t call in, he wouldn’t have a show. His reign stops when people stop wanting to air all their business for a free trip and dna test. I don’t know who Bill Cunningham is.

But, it’s really all hand in hand. If the shows youre naming are already out here. Why do we now need a reality show dealing with same topics. Absent Black man…bunch of kids.

I think Oxygen could have taken the show in a different direction (like showing him as a father, artist, neighbor, business man)and give it a different tittle. Cause I like Shawty Lo…But, we don’t need to know about his womanizing ways and how he got 25 kids from that.

To me its strange there has been no protest for show men a bad or degrading light. When you have shows like BBW or RHW of ATL that pretty much base their shows on women who are with men with money and try to them to talk and put men down theres no protest. And how about Honey Boo Boo a lil white acting out alot of stereotypical ways that black people are accused of acting.Funny what we choose to protest.

But here is the thing…I have never watched the show…HBooBoo.. But, I do think I saw her on the Tiara show…They use "black" lingo or jive as the older folk would say…and use it in a white trash kinda way….It’s funny…but, is it really?
I don’t know…If things don’t feel right to me ..I usually stay away from them.

Wow…you caught that,too?The producers were smitten when she snapped,"honey boo boo child".I heard them laugh off camera and maybe they thought they had a winner with them.SMH at that poor family.Reality shows don’t end well for grown folk and you know the industry destroys children when they get older.The ending wont be as rosy.Thanks Ms. Lamb for your efforts to combat the negative portrayal of black life,although it may be truthful and painful to watch corporate exploitation.We must share the blame for them crapping on the communities’s intelligence.Don’t support foolishness.SMH

I love hbooboo, the best white real show on. My favorite parts are her pagents and the jokes they say about their 2 thumbs little baby. White folks are just as poor as blacks but less in the news about their poverty.

if these people want to get on national tv and make a fool out of themselves then who is she to stop them….if you dont want to watch, DONT FUCKIN WATCH. how are these people getting on tv show casing their non-unique lifestyle personally effecting you…..hell why stop here… might as well petition Housewives, Love and Hip Hop, Basketball Wives & so forth. i doubt it will be as bad as Honey BooBoo

It’s not about How @JBrooks…cause we know how. You wish like hell…it’s was black folks behind these cable channels…making these selections…but..sweetie it’s not…So, the question is WHY! why this show? But, youre right if no one watches than it will get cancelled or not picked up. But, The black community is very small…it’s not really about if we like it.. anyway…But, people will stereotype your son and my nephew as over sexed crazed slow no morals having black man. Like I said somewhere else, this stuff starts taking on a life of it’s own. And I hate go there…but these guys are always dark skin…where is the Terrence Howard marryin different chicks every year…and his many kids show? Be careful what you ride for.
I like Shawty Lo….And I think he’s more than this.

I have no plans what so ever to support this show. I don’t need a petition, my lack of rating is enough. My ratchet TV comes from Honey Boo Boo, BBW and L&HHATL. I love laughing at these people and their foolishness. But 11 kids by 10 women and a 19 year old girlfriend in the house, is not a laughing matter. That’s some glorified pimp mess right there. How your girlfriend the same age as one of your kids. Plus they are not one big happy family because the baby mothers be on blogs and radio shows airing their business on front street.

I will not be watching either and I understand the petition wholeheartedly. It can be very damaging to the children. Heck when they thought Kate + 8 children were in turmoil, they put the brakes on it so why not a black family. I understand going after the networks because someone needs to address the fact that most of the world think black folks are "monkeys that act on que" (delete that if I want but I got that from another person on how they feel about blacks in entertainment)

I just call them Porch Dancers. Yes, we know..history tells us…always been some black folks that want to be that show person…do anything…regardless.. just tryin to be accepted. Will sell their own mama. But, we don’t all think or want the same things. That always my point. We are not one dimensional people and our images should reflect that more so.. than not. Like everyone elses. We all got it.. their are a few black men with five or more baby mama’s..The World got it.

If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. That’s the way to make a statement. And by the way, like it or not these people do exist. It may not be YOUR reality, but it is theirs and they have a right to share it just as you have a right not to look.

But, Vay…Let me say this…I don’t think that should make it on air either….I thought he was KKN saying that was going to be some type of web series. The idea that a network would pick that up…Is very telling to where we are a society. Uplifting and glorifing mistresses. I wonder how you explain to your daughter? or to your son. Or do you? Do you allow them to think that anything goes in life.
Sometimes negative behavior comes with karma. But, that part never plays out.

Oh I agree which is why I feel it should be added to the petition. Please dont get me started on Oxygen or TLC and these crazy shows that they have created with hopes of drawing in a larger black audience. To me it shows what they REALLY think of us.

As far as Mr Wright goes…I am not in agreement with this show at all. He seems desperate to come up with something that will be a money maker for him. I am sure there is a lot of pressure on him to provide but that is what happens when you marry Waynes ex wife/mother of his child.

Good for her, instead of most folks who are just talking or typing about it, she’s being about it, enough is enough, and there should be a line drawn where the "reality show" ideas should be tossed and this is one. And for all of you Atlanta folks alot of these shows "The Sisterhood", "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta", "Real Housewives of Atlanta" fall right into the stereotype that many people have about southern blacks (them being classless, country, and ghetto *regardless of how "rich" they claim to be), and Shawty Lo’s show was going to add more fuel to the fire….

Well…I just think they like showing/sayin this about ALL black people..South, North, East, West…Cause Flava Flav is NYC…lol, I love New York, Chance and Real (Los Angeles), and you can just spell the Chicago..coming.. : )R Kelly…don’t you accept any reality show pitches…LMAO

I totally agree with this whole petition. I am so sick of us being looked as if we are jokes. I say all the time Black folks got to do better, but it seems like some just do not want to do better. It is really annoying because I am born and raised in Atlanta and this is not how I want Atlanta portrayed. Enough is enough. I am going to start one for "The Sisterhood." That is just buffoonery. I do not want to know anything about my pastor or another’s pastors sex life. I know these are trying times but there are other ways to get money. That is why they have acting school.

I understand where she is coming from–but boycott’s have been tried for so many shows-seems to backfire..puts the show in the news more & more people end up getting interested…
she works with youth, I understand her pain, but the world we live in now is……

well…maybe it won’t stop the show…Maybe these people will think before linin up the next black man train wreck. VH1 did stop airing people hitting people…After that porch monkey Tami Roman…and her "I’m about that life"..but runnin to the po po..side eye (Evelyn) partner went to far on BBW and people started complaining.

If you really want to make Oxygen hurt, hit the sponsors. Oxygen gives no hoot about a petition. Hit them deep in the pockets. Just like sponsors responded to BBW when the viewers started putting pressure on the money.

SFTA, please DON’T give this Sabrina Lamb chick ANYMORE attention! She is just lookin for HER 5 minutes of fame! If she wanted to protest a show that degraded women & embarassed the black community & the youth, she could’ve protested A LONG TIME AGO! She needs to sit her BIG MANLY, DRAG QUEEN LOOKIN A$$ DOWN SUMWHERE & SHUT THE HELL UP….she doesn’t get to DICTATE what I want to watch on television, if she don’t like it she ain’t gotta watch it!

Stereotypes sell…Very unfortunate but it is the reality and the world we live in today. Big corporations love it, such as major television networks because it perpetuates division, oh yes and of course ratings, big bucks. Why would they put out a show that sheds a positive light on the black community? If that was done it would create togetherness within the black community which is not the goal. Positivity do not sell.
They (the CEO’s and presidents of these major tv networks, a lot of them are racist)are in a position of power to control the media/entertainment that is displayed on tv which mean they have the power to socially control and exploit those who are powerless or have been disempowered.

Want an example?
Well for starters BET is going further downhill, instead of black entertainment television it should be black “exploitation” television. Don’t get me started on VH1….

Besides Catfish, RHOA, LHHATL, Mob Wives, TI and Mary Mary those are the only ones I watch and I surely won’t look at this. I don’t feel embarrassed I simply just won’t look at some of them and to each it’s own. There are shows about mistresses, funerals and everything now. I just choose which ones I watch.

Instead of trying to check other races on how they portray us, we need to start at home-BET. Where do we think they get it from? How about she petition a network that is RAN by a BLACK WOMAN that degrades BLACK WOMEN on every level-all that’s missing is a BET Uncut comeback.

BET was the stuff when I was a teen.I enjoyed Our Voices And Teen Summit.I know they had heck a infomercials, but at least they stood for something.We didn’t have that many channels trying to make us look like a fool.(they did not care to cater to blacks until the rap checks start rolling in.whatever though.SMH

Yessss, BET was EVERYTHING back in the day! I stalked my tv every Saturday for Teen Summitt. Video Soul, Video Vibrations, Video LP, and Midnight Love, chile. Back when videos had actual storylines, and BET showcased our talents to uplift us. I watch TVOne and the Bounce network, and they remind of what BET had the potential to be.

It needs to be boycotted…Sometimes things are taken too far and portrayed as something innocent..Networks understand how viewers psyches work so they know this show will be viewed as an archetype for black urban households by those who don’t know better and fuel to the fire for those who are prejudice. All My Babies Mamas tho?! The name itself is sad. I mean honestly some things are taken too far and people play along for a comeup, inlcuding the people that go on maury and act ridiculous.

I am mad that she feel that this is only a black experience!!! I in my lifetime NEVER knew of the blended family until I spent time with my Caucasian friends. So for her to make this a black thing and not just a reality for alot of people regardless of their color pisses me off. I myself haven’t meet a black family with that many half siblings i am sure they exist, but don’t feel other races are excluded from this lifestyle. Sisterwives is a good example of other races who live this it just so happens Shawty Lo is black. I am not mad as these 11 kids won’t be hungry or without shelter I don’t like that this life for me but who am I o judge! If you don’t like it don’t watch it don’t be disrespectful to this family by boycotting what is their life!

Of course, I signed the petition and sent it on to a multitude of my friends that did the same simply because, as Sabrina states, "a line in the sand" MUST be drawn to stop the madness!

Sure, we could NOT watch (and I won’t); however, what about the young women (and men) that will and "think" that it is OK to go along with this type of societal "programming" to dumb everyone down.

Honestly, I think the same should have been done with Honey Boo Boo. REALLY?

What has happened to our children? What will happen to our children? Why continue this madness. It’s bad enough we have crazy women seeking their 15-minutes of fame BUT WHY exploit the children, as well as SNAFUs of the adults, to get "a dolla" that makes ya holla? Seriously?

The old saying goes, "charity begins at home." Let us elevate instead of denigrate! Change begins with US.

Thats rediculous, your judging because you’ve never been witness to a situation like this before. Your more worried about TV raising our kids than us raising them ourselves. At the end of the day, ppl are going to do what they want it’s not about a "tv show" influencing you, it’s about being in a REALISTIC mindstate and making the right decisions. YOU and that lady dont HAVE to watch the show but being that I come from a situation similar to the one surrounding the show, I would like the public to see it in a positive light and not be so quick to judge. It’s ppl like you and her that harm our children and make them feel inferior because they come from "different type of family""special situation" and thats what really upsets me. I didn’t ask to be "one of his babies mothers", just like the mothers on that show, it just happened and my kids didn’t ask to be here but they are and I never want them to feel that they get the "side-eye" when ppl hear about their situation. Not saying that this SHOULD be the norm but I’m being realistic and saying that it already kind of is.

I would also like to add after seeing the clip I think it is a good representation for people who live this lifestyle as they are willing to put their differences aside for their kids. I didn’t see anybody pulling earrings off, fighting or acting as ignorant as these other so called classy folk on the real housewives franchise, basketball wives, etc. But this is where we draw the line? They bring the kids together to spend time with their siblings, and actually seem to love each other.

I don’t have a problem with the show because its REAL, this is ACTUALLY happening in our community RIGHT now. I’m a college grad working on my masters, I have my OWN business and my OWN money but I have 2 kids by a man who has 8 children and 5 different babies mothers and we are still together, getting married in the summer and my kids are 4 years apart. YES….it happens…My fiance is ashamed of the situation but not of his children and we succeed at making it work but dont get me wrong, there are problems from time to time no situation is perfect and to be honest I wouldn’t trade mine for anything. I think ppl need to see this situation in a positive light. Atleast its not a show highlighting a black man NOT taking care of his kids, Shawty Lo is making his situation work and bringing his family together…point blank!

I work in the consumer research industry and people keep saying "Why this show?" and the thing is, Research has shown that minorities watch TV more than any other group so ofcourse networks are trying to reel them in. I watch shows that I relate to, I dont watch the bachelor and jersey shore but I would this one. @shawty no should probably do her research because she said blk ppl are a small grp…..Since When? How u think these networks make $$? Advertisers right, well why in the hell would more networks put more and more shows on the air targeting blk ppl if not to require mor advertising$$$$ Blk ppl spend ALOT of money every yr. No really billions and it’s documented I know what I’m talking about so try me. The only reason I’m posting today is because I read this and got upset for my family’s sake because we are in the same situation as Shawty Lo’s and making it work yet ppl in this situation are never looked at for the positive….just the negative…I have a personal reason to post, what about all you other losers who just "Felt the need" to bad mouth Oxygen and Shawty Lo family. Raise your children on your own, dont let the TV do your job and get over it.

Im so tired of these “protesters” They protest every new show about to come out, and aint stopped nann premiere episode of nothing.. Petitions aint stopped ish either. They got to much time on they hands. Get a job and sat the fck down. OVERBOARD !

so she got 13,400 signatures from our people to protest this thing and the radio host who wants piers morgan deported because of his stance on gun laws got over a 100,000…kinda speaks volumes to me…our people dont care…they enjoy this bs…we dont care…we apparently love airing our dirty laundry for eveyone to see and we take pride in it…and its lovely to see that there are those waiting to pounce on it to exploit it…

Choose your battles wisely…this is not wise. And its not that we “don’t” care, it’s just more to life than protesting Shawty Lo. Really?? Let that man make his money so that he can feed all those damn mouths. This is slick hating. I understand your issue, but all “10” of them spread those legs and had those babies. It doesn’t make me feel bad OR look bad. As you were.

How is this portraying blacks negatively? This is just portraying this ONE family negatively. You don’t see whites protesting honey boo, or italians protesting jersey shore or mob wives. Nobody has boycotted The Maury show yet. Why? because it shows all races negatively. If you don’t want to watch a show, just pick up your remote and change the channel. Whites are always going to look down on us or negatively anyway. It’s been going on since we were brought here. So what is taking this show off the air going to do? Protesters egt on my nerves, like the whole world revolves around you all. If u don’t like it that’s your opinion. If others do, that’s their opinion.No body has boycotted or protested Fox News and they depict blacks negatively everyday. Pick your battles wisely. All you all are doing is bringing more attention to him.

I agree this show would not have sent out the correct message, BUT who takes the time to sign a petition on something they don’t have to watch. Believe it or not with or without this show there are tons of people just like this and there will be more. Oxygen or any other tv station for that matter doesnt care what message it sends because it brings in money. What comes on tv should not be a factor if mothers & FATHERS raised their children right with morals & values, (which him or his 10+ baby mama’s LACK). I just hope they teach the kids right so they don’t follow the path or their mothers & father.